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Lerici – 2025
EAT
Pizzeria Ristorante La Gerla
This pizza place is right in the main square where the stairs from our house let out, somehow we had never been before. It’s tucked in right next to the gelateria. The pizzas are great, I loved the pesto pizza and super reasonably priced. We also loved the farinata, it is a local specialty made from chickpea flour, thin and just the right amount of crispy. You can't beat the caraff of frizzante for 9euros. We’re definitely going back. You need a reservation, go after 8:00 otherwise the sun is very intense.
Via O.Petriccioli, 4, 19032 Lerici SP
0187968291
Ristorante Lerici Bistrot - Our Take Away Go To
I’m sure I’ve mentioned Restaurant Lerici Bar in a previous Lerici post, but it definitely deserves another shoutout. We get dinner take away to bring up to the house all the time.
Our favorites are the shrimp and chickpea salad, the mixed roasted vegetables, and the roasted potatoes. Everything is super fresh and flavorful. They close daily from 3 to 5 and I think are closed on Wednesday.
They have three storefronts: one is a more formal restaurant, the other is a casual café and the third is the take away counter. This trip we discovered the go to the café. It has a cozy, comfy vibe and is a perfect place to regroup between activities.
Locanda Il Senatore - Fiascherino
This was our second time going to Senatore in Fiascherino. Both times for Erica's birthday. This year we went for dinner. It's such a special spot. You sit outside, up above a beautiful cove, with the sea stretching out in front of you. The menu is all made to order. Some of my favorites are the muscles to share, the pesto and the daily fish.
Getting there does take a little planning. We took the bus there, it usually only comes once an hour. Taxis need to be arranged before coming back. Make sure you leave enough time, it’s definitely not the kind of place you want to rush.
Via Giorgio Byron, 13, 19032 Lerici SP, Italy
+39 0187 967236
*** Reservations are always reccomended.
Cappucinos & Wine
La Coscienza Di Zeno - End of Boardwalk
Funny how our little go-to spots shift each year. This one is tucked at the very end of the marina boardwalk. It’s a café with food too, but we mainly come for the fresh-pressed juices. The interior is super cute — a little more Greek in feel than Italian. We love coming here after yoga for a juice and a cappuccino. The avocado toast is also really yummy.
Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 26, 19032 Lerici SP
Vespucci's Cafe - Castle
How have I never been here? Walk up towards the castle and you’ll find this adorable little coffee shop tucked right at the base of the castle. There’s a great breeze, and the views over Lerici and the next cove are absolutely beautiful. If you haven't been in the castle its a must.
P.za S. Girgio, 4 - 19032 Lerici SP
P. Iva 01490140116
Bar Costa
This cafe has always been here but the outside area across from the cinque terra ferry was closed last year. The inside is super old school looks more of a place you would find in Bologna or Torino. You stand at the bar for your coffee.
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 3, 19032 Lerici SP
1918 Mare - Persecco on the beach
We absolutely love this spot. 1918 Mare is perfectly located right on the beach between Lerici and San Terenzo. It’s the kind of place that works for any time of day. Whether you’re stopping by for a late afternoon prosecco, a morning cappuccino, or a relaxed seaside lunch.
Via S. Biaggini, 19032 lungomare SP
La Magnolia
This is our go to frizzante place. It is from a tap, 4 euros. Super local. We tried other places and we always come back here. Great location right in Piazza Garibaldi. We love this spot
Gelateria Arcobaleno
This is our go to gelateria. The kids have sampled most the spots in the area and this is our favorite. We usually end up there at least once a day.
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 20, 19032 Lerici SP
To Do
San Giorgio Castle
We’ve been coming to Lerici for three years, and somehow this was my first time actually going inside the San Giorgio Castle. You can see it from just about everywhere in town, perched high above the water, it’s hard to miss. The structure itself, built in 1241, is so impressive, and inside there was a really interesting contemporary art exhibit that made the whole visit even more surprising and memorable.
Boat Rental - Il Sole Nel Golfo
We rented a boat from Il Sole Nel Golfo, picked up right from the marina—near where the fishermen come in with their morning catch. A few days in advance, we reserved a rubber boat that fit eight people. It was 160 euros for a half-day rental, from 9:00 to 2:00, and totally worth it.
There’s something magical about seeing all our favorite spots from the water. We headed in the direction of Tellaro, with our first stop at Caletta cove. This is our cove, it was fun to find our house from the water. We swam around the big rocks and explored our cove.
After that, we continued past Tellaro to a few of the more remote beaches that you can only get to by boat. We found a quiet spot, anchored the boat, and I swam in. From the water, you can see the Carrara marble mines in the distance, and the white marble mountains look almost otherworldly.
On the way back, we stopped in Tellaro. The kids took a few jumps off the dock. Our final stop was the cove by Eco del Mare. We’ve always wanted to go there—it’s a high-end, ultra-serene beach club, no kids allowed. Even just seeing it from the water was fun.
A perfect way to spend the day and a great way to see the coastline from a different perspective.
Tel. 345 0105042
La Serra - morning walk
La Serra is the little hilltop town right above our house, on the trail that leads toward Tellaro. It’s about a 20 minute hike up and the views along the way and at the top are pretty spectacular.
We had a cappuccino at the bar in the square and then wandered into the church, which was still decorated with sand murals left over from the recent first communions.
We didn’t stay too long, but it was the perfect way to start the day—some movement, a view, and a coffee in a sleepy little town.
Day Trips
Portofino & Santa Margarita
We had a great day exploring Santa Margherita and Portofino. We arrived in Santa Margherita by train around 11:00 and walked straight to the marina. It's about a 10 minute walk to catch the 11:15 water taxi to Portofino. Highly recommend the water taxi/ ferry!
Both towns are absolutely beautiful. The landscape is stunning and the overall vibe is quite different from Lerici.
Portofino
We had a lunch reservation at Da i Gemelli in Portofino, which was fabulous. It's run by two adorable twin brothers and everything from the food to the family run atmosphere was spot on. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time.
Any of the cafes around the Portofino marina are great for a coffee. Definitely check out the shops, there are some really cute reasonably priced boutiques in between all the luxury shops.
After lunch, we took the ferry back to Santa Margherita. Tit is a 10 minute beautiful ride, so fun to be out on the water and great way to see the area also all the yachts.
Santa Margarita
We wandered through town a bit and stopped at Gelateria Centrale, which is a must for the Pinguino — a stretched-out cone of gelato dipped in chocolate. So good.
We also visited the Basilica di Santa Margherita, right in the city center. It’s stunning inside and definitely a must!
Antica Drogheria Seghezzo is right next to the Bascillica. It is a very old grocery/ general store that has everything!!!!!
There are some really nice clothing boutiques
Travel
Flying Out of Milan
We flew out of the Milan airport at the end of our trip. Getting there was super easy. The day before our flight we took the train from La Spezia to Milano Centrale, and from there hopped on the direct train to the airport.
We spent the night at the Sheraton Milan Malpensa, which is located right at the airport and connected to both the terminal and train station. It honestly couldn’t be more convenient. You can walk from your hotel room to the terminal in under five minutes. no shuttles, no stress.
The hotel itself is really nice. The restaurant has a fun, modern vibe with lots of greenery and a stylish design. The food was really good too, which was a nice surprise for an airport hotel.
For my flight, I was on United in seat 30L on the Dreamliner. Its a great window seat with extra leg room.
Nick Mele Fine Art
Client: Nick Mele Fine Art
Website: www,nickmelefineart.com
Launch Date: August 2022
Platform: Shopify
Integrations: Mailchimp
When I designed and developed the Nick Mele Fine Art website in 2022, the goal was to create a space that felt both sophisticated and fun—an online gallery where collectors could discover and purchase his work.
Over the years, we’ve expanded the website to showcase exciting partnerships with Brunschwig & Fils, Society Social, and the iconic Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. And his latest collaboration with Society Social is seriously amazing—check it out! As his exhibitions and collaborations have grown, we’ve continued to evolve the site to keep up.
I love being part of this journey and making sure his website reflects it all. Can’t wait to see what’s next!.
Jen Fisher Yoga
Client: Jen Fisher Yoga
Website: www.jenfisheryoganc.com
Launch Date: November 2024
Platform: SquareSpace
Integrations: Acuity
I absolutely love building long-term relationships with my clients, and Jen Fisher is a perfect example. A client since 2015, Jen was ready to relaunch her business, which meant it was time for a fresh new website.
Jen’s new site is built on Squarespace. We integrated Acuity Scheduling to streamline her yoga class schedules and booking process. It was important for Jen to easily update her site with new retreats, special events, and more, so I created a video vault with simple, step-by-step tutorials.
It’s been amazing to watch Jen’s business transform and grow over the years, and I’m so grateful to continue supporting her online presence.
Lerici -2024
A year ago the enchanting coastal town of Lerici Italy completely captured our hearts. Last year we found a beautiful villa perched above the Callita Cove. Though it was only available for six days, we decided to plan our entire European adventure around those precious days. The experience was so unforgettable that we couldn't resist returning this year and extending our stay to two glorious weeks. To our delight, Lerici was even more magical the second time around.
Below are just a few of my favorite spots. We have found that touristy spots don't really exist in this area. The people who live and work in town go to all the same spots as the tourists go to. So just wander around, explore. Lerici is a place where every street, cove, and hilltop has something beautiful to offer. Don't be afraid to get lost; some of our most memorable moments came from spontaneous discoveries
EAT
1918
This is our go to dinner spot! It is located in the main square at the bottom of the steps from our house. The menu is all seafood. They have a beautiful covered patio, the decor is very simple and elegant.
Opens at 7:30
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1, 19032 Lerici SP
www.ristorante1918lerici.com
Ristorante Ciccilo Mare
Sad it took us 2 trips to find this gem. This was where we went for Charlottes special birthday dinner. It is tucked away under the castle and the only way to get to it (besides by boat) is through a tunnel under the castle. Then you come out to this big cove with a restaurant tucked into the rocks. It is a no frills restaurant all outside but the views and setting couldn't be more gorgeous. We came for dinner, but also a great location for lunch or drinks. It is a great place to swim, there is a public beach and beach chairs that can be rented here too.
Calata Giuseppe Mazzini, Snc, 19032 Lerici SP
www.ciccilloamare.it
1918 Mare - Beach Restaurant
This is the daytime/ lunch version of the main 1918 restaurant that we love so much. It is located right in the middle of the main stretch of beach in Lerici. It is a very cute all outside structure that is right on the water. Come here for just a coffee and pastry or for lunch. We love it here.
Via S. Biaggini 5, 19032, Lerici Italy
Website
Drink & Cappuccinos
Bar Il Pontile
I usually end up here at least once a day. It is no frills, the view can't be beat. You sit outside right on the pier in the marina. A cappucino and fresh squeezed orange juice is 5 euros.
Enoteca F Baroni
We first came here after church because everyone from church was here (including the priest). Great spot for a cappuccino and a quiche (torta). Don't sit down at a table. You need to ask and then they will seat you. They have a small cute grocery and wine shop next door.
Via Cavour, 18, 19032 Lerici SP
Bar Doria
This hotel bar is about half way down the hill into Lerici. It has a beautiful balcony. The restaurant and bar are owned by the same group as 1918. A great place for a quiet drink and aperitivo.
Via Carpanini, 9, 19032 Lerici SP
Frutti Di Mare
There are 3 tiny bars towards the end of the pier. All are fabulous. They are old shipping containers for the bar and all seating is outside. The first one Frutti Di Mare is an oyster bar, hands down the best oysters I have had. Just served with lemon and shucked as you order them. The owner is one of the 2 singers at church. The middle one is always packed. the bar people sit on the stairs and anyplace possible. There is usually live music. Good time to go any
SHOP
Most shops close in this area from 1:00 to 3:30
MP Lerici
This is a higher end shop, all made in Italy. The displays look a bit older, but if you take the time there are some gems.
P.zza C Battisti,8 Lerici
Vale Raku
Such a cute find. The artist is the shop keeper and her studio is in the shop. She makes a lot of jewelry (I bought a ring and earrings for Erica)
Via Cavour, 28 19032 LERICI - SP
www.valeraku.it
Saturday Market
We love the Saturday market along the beach boardwalk in Lerici. It goes until about 1:00. There are so many gems, ceramics, cashmere, linen.
To Do
There are a lot of signs up around the town for events. There was a beautiful opera concert in the town square.
Yoga by the Sea
Hard to beat this view for a yoga class, located at the end of the boardwalk in Lerici at the boat club. It is a lovely Hatha (very chill class). All in Italian. You will need to whats app Valentia before to sign up and she will bring a yoga mat for you. Look for signs and flyers in town to get more information about the class.
39 339 2934716 - Valentina
Ciccillo Mare Beach Club
We were on our way to Tellaro but the bus never came, so we headed to Ciccilo. We rented beach chairs and umbrellas and had the best time. The restaurant is right above the beach club so it is easy and fun to get snacks. Before you find a chair you need to pay for it and the lifeguard will show you a spot. Total family run operation.
www.ciccilloamare.it
Stabilimento Balneare Colombo srl
This is one of the bigger beach clubs. It is closer to Santerenzo, but very walkable. The beach is all little pebbles so bring flipflops. Once in the water the beach is beautiful and sandy. There are 2 floating trampolines that the kids absolutely loved. If you are without kids, I recommend renting chairs on the pier. Call ahead of time, because a lot of the chairs are reserved for the season. They have a great casual snack bar for lunch. The do have a fancier restaurant, which we didn't try.
Via S. Biaggini, 2, 19032 Lerici SP, Italy
Day Trips
Travel by Ferry
The ferry pick up and drop off is right in the Golfo Dei Poeti (the square at the bottom of our hill). It is super easy and an excellent way to see the towns around here and of course fun to be on the water. The boat leaves pretty much every hour and your ticket is for the whole day. You can make as many stops as you want, the ticket is for the day and is 41 euros.
www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it
Porto Venere
This is the closest town by ferry to Lerici. It and it is the only town we went to by ferry last year we then took a boat taxi to an island for lunch (see below). This trip we went to a few of the Cinque Terre towns and this is our favorite. It is not considered one of the 5 towns of Cinque Terre, so it is less visited. Although don't be fooled it is still busy.
The church of S. Pietro (6th century) is perched up high on the cliffs. When passing by boat (continuing on the Cinque Terre the boat makes a 90 degree turn.
Locanda Lorena
Great spot for lunch. Make a reservation and a water taxi picks you up from Porto Venere. This was the perfect lunch destination for our first visit here. It is fun to have something to keep you accountable. When the ferry dropped us off we knew we had to be back at the docks at a certain time for our water taxi to pick us up. Plan to have along lunch here.
Via Cavour, 4, 19025 Porto Venere SP
0187 792370
www.locandalorena.com
Torre Di Venere
This is a beautiful experience. The restaurant is all outside and tucked into the walls of the castle overlooking the canal. We loved everything about the meal, the staff was lovely, the people watching fabulous (all very well dressed Italian families), the setting was unbeatable and the food as great. This would be afabulous place to go for a drink. With just 2 people you can sit above the restaurant and the view there is incredible. We didn't have a reservation, but I would recommend one.
19025 Porto Venere, Province of La Spezia
info@torredivenere.com
www.torredivenere.com
Pisa
This is a great day trip. We took the bus to Sarzana and then it was an easy 1 hour train to Pisa. We were planning to take a taxi to the Leaning Tower, but the taxi line was very long and no taxis were coming so we took a bus. It is not far (bus line +1), you can scan your credit card when you get on the bus for a ticket. There is a good cafe right where the bus drops you called Po'stò. I was so impressed by the tower and Piazza Del Duomo. The photos of the tower and surrounding areas do not do it justice. It is also way more leaning then you expect it to be. We did not go up the tower or into the cathedral or baptismal, you should purchase tickets before hand, they are timed tickets. We then walked through the botanical gardens and then back through the town to the train station. It is an easy walk about 30 minutes. The river is very pretty looks like a mini Florence. The city if very clean, we were surprised on the walk back we thought we would find more cute cafes along the street but it was pretty quiet.
Fiascherino
This really doesn't have to be a day trip, because it is less then a 10 minute bus ride, but it is so cute I think you will want to stay for a day. We took the Tellaro (the bus schedule is more reliable on weekdays) bus over and you get off one stop before Tellaro and then walk down the stairs. You can rent beach chairs, but there are not many and were all booked. We found a nice spot on the beach, you can walk up to the snack bar at the hotel for cappucinos. The hotel has a beautiful restaurant looking over the next cove over. We celebrated Erica's birthday lunch here. Hands down it was the best pesto I have had the whole trip. The beach below the restaurant is also really pretty.
Locanda Il Senatore - Beautiful Restaurant
www.locandailsenatore.it
Tellaro
We love Tellaro, just a 10 minute bus ride from our house. It is the last stop on this section of the coast. It is a tiny picturesque town with some cute restaurants and a fun area to get into the water. Because it is a bit harder to get to and not considered Cinq Terre it does not get tourists like the other towns do.
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Bonnieux – Provence
Next stop the Luberon, which is considered the heart of Provence. It consists of several villages known as "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (the most beautiful villages of France). Gordes, Menerbes, Lourmarin, Bonnieux are all located in the Luberon and worth exploring. We stopped in Lourmarin for lunch and wandering around before headed to Bonnieux where we will spend the next few nights in the most charming AIRBNB. The weather was quite chilly and rainy so the gorgeous fireplace was such a nice treat. You will need to rent a car for this area.
EAT
La Bergerie - outside of Bonnieux
Located on the property of the gorgeous Capelongue hotel, this restaurant is a MUST. Everything is cooked over a wood fire Go before your reservation for an aperitifs and to stroll around the beautiful gardens.
550, Chemin des Cabanes, Les Claparèdes, 84480 Bonnieux France
www.beaumier.com
La Bastide - outside of Bonnieux
This beautiful restaurant is also located on the Capelongue Hotel property. It is their more fancy, Michlin star restaurant. They have a prix fixed menu. We didn't dine here, but I am sure its amazing.
550, Chemin des Cabanes, Les Claparèdes, 84480 Bonnieux France
www.beaumier.com
Casa Bonilis - located in the heart of Bonnieux
This yummy Italian neighborhood restaurant is also located in the center of Bonnieux and a few doors down from our AIRBNB. I think I had dinner here 3 evenings and always the same delicious pesto gnochci! Fun local vibe.
4 place Carnot 84480 Bonnieux, France | +33 4 90 71 18 02
Facebook Page
STAY
We LOVED the modern combined with old aesthetic of this AIRBNB. I highly recommend staying at this very spacious 3-bedroom village house with the most stunning views of the Provence. The fireplace was a highlight for us since it was cold and rainy. There is a tiny pool and 2 levels of balcony's with a beautiful garden terrace, that I imagine would be divine in the summer (note the photo of the terrace and pool are not from our trip).
Link to AIRBNB
This is not the AIRBNB we stayed in, but this one is located right next door and looks equally as beautiful.
AIRBNB Apartment
House Hunting
A main purpose of this trip was to find a home in France for my travel buddy Kate and her family. We sawa lot of really cool and some not so cool places. Its wild how different the Provencal architecture is from just a few hours away on the coast. Below are some of our favorites from Menerbes, Gordes and Oppède. The home in Oppède was straight out of a magazine. The women who owned the home showed it to us and the home along with her were so grande and elegant.
Yoga Studio Website and Logo Designs
